ASU, Thai partners sign MOU to advance shared microelectronics goals

ASU hosts Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Mahanakorn University of Technology for 2-day visit.

September 11, 2025

STEM and microelectronics are at the core of global competitiveness, and in today’s rapidly shifting geopolitical climate, secure supply chains and a highly skilled workforce are more critical than ever. Government administrations and higher education institutions are central to meeting this challenge, even as they face mounting pressure from international uncertainty and a rapidly changing technology landscape.

Arizona State University hosted a high-level delegation from Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and Mahanakorn University of Technology (MUT), the country’s only “Powered by ASU” university, on Sept. 8-9. The meetings culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding to expand academic, research and workforce development partnership in microelectronics.

Led by Supachai Pathumnakul, permanent secretary of MHESI, the delegation included senior government officials, academic leaders and industry representatives, including Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary general of the board of investment; Panavy Pookaiyaudom, president of MUT; and Suriya Chindawongse, ambassador of Thailand to the United States.

The delegation’s visit built on an in-country strategic planning mission last month in Thailand led by Jeffrey Goss, associate vice provost for Southeast Asia programs from the ASU Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. The mission included a roundtable with the Thailand Semiconductor Industry Association, Thailand Printed Circuit Association, Thailand Microelectronics Center, the Asian Development Bank and other industry representatives to explore collaboration in Thailand’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Goss, who leads global STEM engagement efforts for ASU, continued: “At ASU, we serve as the epicenter of U.S. microelectronics efforts and are proud to extend that expertise to international partners and build connections that strengthen innovation, workforce development and academic excellence.”

Over the course of two days on ASU’s Tempe campus, the delegation engaged with world-class leaders, faculty and researchers across ASU’s enterprise, including the Biodesign Institute, Thunderbird School of Global Management, MacroTechnology Works, ASU Health, Dreamscape Learn and the Fulton Schools Office of Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. Discussions centered on shared interest in semiconductor curricula and faculty training, biomedical engineering and health innovation, advanced manufacturing and space technology.

“Thailand is committed to the advancement of our semiconductor sector as part of our national competitiveness strategy and is grateful to have a partner in Arizona State University,” Pathumnakul said. “Through this partnership we are building not only technical capacity, but also a bridge between our countries that will strengthen ties for years to come.”

A key session was an industry roundtable representing leaders from Intel, Microchip, Siemens, Deca, Benchmark, the Arizona Commerce Authority and the city of Chandler’s Economic Development Office. The roundtable explored partnership opportunities to support Thailand’s national strategy to develop the microelectronics sector.

The delegation also had the opportunity to explore ASU’s newly opened Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 12, home of the School of Manufacturing Networks and Systems, on the Polytechnic campus.

“Visiting ASU’s ISTB12 and the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks was truly inspiring,” Pookaiyaudom said. “Cutting-edge research in advanced manufacturing and robotics directly connects to MUT and Thailand’s needs and provided valuable insights to strengthen our own infrastructure. We are grateful to for the opportunity to strategically develop this important partnership with ASU.”

The ASU, MHESI and MUT partnership will include cooperation in areas such as:

• Joint microelectronics, health and manufacturing research and education initiatives.
• Development of a bilateral center of excellence in microelectronics.
• Academic degree pathway programs as part of the ASU-Cintana Alliance.
• Workforce and professional development programs to upskill workers.
   

Michael Crow, president of ASU, concluded with: “ASU is built on the idea that a great university is measured by whom it includes and how they succeed. That is our ‘why,’ our ‘who’ and our ‘how,’ and what drives us as the New American University. This partnership reflects that commitment, extending ASU’s expertise and innovation to work side by side with Thailand’s leaders in government, higher education and technology. The time for collaboration is now, and together we will broaden access to learning and accelerate discovery in the critical field of semiconductors.”

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For further details, please email Melissa Stine, program manager of strategic projects and initiatives at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, at [email protected].